How to Make Face Cream With Shea Butter

A cream is an emulsion of oil and water, according to Sherry Baker of Sherry's Creations. People have used shea butter to care for skin and hair for centuries, and it is a common moisturizing ingredient in homemade and commercial skin care products.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Digital mail scale
• 0.3 g citric acid
• 1 g glycerin
• 1.3 g stearic acid
• 16 g shea butter
• 4.4 g beeswax
• 103 g distilled water
• 0.7 g Germaben II
• Large microwaveable bowl
• Hand mixer

1. Set your postal scale to measure hundredths of grams (two digits to the right side of the decimal).

2. Put 0.3 g citric acid, 1 g glycerin, 1.3 g stearic acid, 16 g shea butter and 4.4 g beeswax into a large microwaveable bowl.

3. Microwave on high for 2 minutes, then remove carefully and stir. If the beeswax hasn't melted completely, then return the bowl to the microwave and cook for 1 more minute. Remove, stir and repeat if necessary.

4. Pour 103 g hot (not boiling) water slowly into the mixture and stir, using a stick blender or hand mixer on low speed. At first, the oily solution will repel the water, but the ingredients will become incorporated thoroughly as you continue mixing,

5. Add 0.7 g of Germaben II (an antioxidant that prevents the growth of harmful bacteria) to the bowl. Mix again for 1 minute at a low speed.

6. Pour into a clean, dry 4 ounce facial cream tub. Shake gently or stir with a wooden craft stick every 10 to 20 minutes until it reaches room temperature to prevent the mixture from separating as it cools.

Tips & Warnings

• A glass bowl is preferable, but plastic will work as long as you don't overcook the ingredients. Purchase these supplies through a soap, candlemaking or craft supply store. Because the measurements for the recipe are so small, precise measuring is important. If the scale were set to measure tenths and shows that a substance weighs 0.3 grams, it actually may weigh anywhere from 0.26 to 0.34, which could ruin the texture of your facial cream. Use this facial cream daily under makeup or to moisturize dry patches. This cream is unscented and free of colorants, so it shouldn't bother sensitive skin.
• This homemade face cream with shea butter does not offer sun protection.

References

• Shea Butter Information
• Glenbrook Farms Herbs & Such: Make your own face cream